Half-centuries from Adnaan Lagadien, Jorich van Schalkwyk and Kamogelo Phiri helped South Africa Under-19 Men beat an improved Cricket Namibia by 131 runs in the second match of their 50-over series as they took an unassailable 2-0 lead in Windhoek on Wednesday.
Opener Lagadien top-scored with 85 off 65 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes), with fellow opener Van Schalkwyk scoring even more rapidly during his innings of 62 off 44 balls (9 fours).
Phiri then belted an unbeaten 73 off 67 balls (7 fours, 1 six) as the visitors posted a mammoth 375 for nine.
The Namibians, beaten by 10 wickets in the series opener when they were blown away for 95, put in a far more credible performance with the bat this time around, replying with 244 for eight. Captain Alexander Volschenk was their mainstay with 68 off 100 balls (3 fours, 1 six), while Paul James was the pick of the bowlers with three for 51.
In the end, the visitors still won comfortably to clinch the series with a game to spare. The final match takes place on Friday.
The junior Proteas began their latest outing with a bang thanks to openers Lagadien and Van Schalkwyk.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, the pair tuck into the bowling during an opening stand of 122 in 14.4 overs, before the latter fell to Rowan van Vuuren (1/69).
New man and captain Muhammad Bulbulia (46) then put on 58 with Lagadien, before adding another half-century stand of 53 with Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (30).
That took the away side to 233 for two, but two quick wickets left them on 242 for four, with the innings from there then centred around Phiri as he worked his way in, before cutting loose to help his side to an impressive 376-run target. Max Heingo was the pick of the home bowlers with three for 38.
Namibia’s top four of Zacheo van Vuuren (42), Michael Muller (20), Tiaan van der Merwe (38) and skipper Volschenk ensured they made an assured start without threatening the target too much.
They enabled their side to reach 214 for four at one stage, though that was only in the 45th over.
In the end, the total proved too formidable and the bowlers helped close out the win. Apart from James, there were two wickets for Dayalan Boyce (2/33) and one each for Waco Bassick (1/30), Enathi Khitshini (1/39) and Ntando Soni (1/57).
SA U19 Men’s Squad against Cricket Namibia
Muhammad Bulbulia (captain, North West), Jason Rowles (captain, Lions), Waco Bassick (Western Province), JJ Basson (Lions), Daniel Bosman (Western Province), Dayalan Boyce (Dolphins), Paul James (Western Province), Enathi Khitshini (Garden Route Badgers), Adnaan Lagadien (Western Province), Bayanda Majola (Dolphins), Bandile Mbatha (Dolphins), Lethabo Phahlamohlaka (Titans), Kamogelo Phiri (Lions), Ntando Soni (Dolphins), and Jorich van Schalkwyk (Titans).
Management
Malibongwe Maketa (Head Coach), Blanche Conradie (Manager), Imraan Khan (Batting Coach), Paul Adams (Bowling Coach), Thabang Kumalo (Fielding Coach), Tumi Masekela (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Sheenagh Jordaan (Physiotherapist), Kyle Southgate (Team Analyst), and Eugene Oppelt (Performance Psychologist).
Fixtures
Monday, 28 April at 09:30
Cricket Namibia lost to South Africa U19 by 10 wickets – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Wednesday, 30 April at 09:30
Cricket Namibia lost to South Africa U19 by 131 runs – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Friday, 02 May at 09:30
Cricket Namibia vs South Africa U19 – High Performance Oval, Windhoek